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Sapphire damsel

Pomacentrus pavo

Also known as Pavo Damsel, Peacock Damselfish

SaltwaterFish

Sapphire damsel (Pomacentrus pavo)

Care at a glance

Temperature
75–82°F
24–28°C
pH
8.1–8.4
Adult size
3.3 in
8.5 cm
Minimum tank
29 gal
110 L
Temperament
Mostly peaceful
Social behavior
Social
Tankmates
With caution
Swim level
Middle
Difficulty
Beginner
Breeding
Medium
Rarity
Common
Reef safe
Reef safe
Family
Pomacentridae
Origin
Indo-Pacific lagoons

Overview

The sapphire damsel is one of the calmer damselfish and hardy enough for a first marine tank. It swims in the middle of the tank.

Did you know

The sapphire damsel's species name, pavo, is Latin for peacock. Its body flashes from deep sapphire to teal green as the fish turns through the light.

Caring for the sapphire damsel

Give a sapphire damsel at least 29 gal (110 L), with scattered rockwork, gentle flow and open water above. It stays near cover but feeds up in the water. Provide enough rock for every fish to claim a spot, since mild squabbles happen inside a group.

Keep the water at 75 to 82°F (24 to 28°C) with a pH of 8.1 to 8.4. Feed flake, pellet and frozen foods, plus some algae-based food.

The sapphire damsel is content in a small shoal and completely safe with corals and invertebrates. Choose its other tank mates with caution, though.

It spawns like a typical damsel, with demersal eggs guarded by the male. Commercial captive breeders produce it, and breeding takes some experience.

Good to know

The sapphire damsel, Pomacentrus pavo, is a damselfish in the family Pomacentridae, described by Bloch in 1787. Its blue-green body is marked with fine dark scale edges and a yellow forked tail.

In the wild

The sapphire damsel lives in lagoons, on sheltered reef flats and around isolated coral heads across the Indo-Pacific. A small group often holds station over one coral outcrop.

Common questions

What size tank does a sapphire damsel need?

A sapphire damsel needs at least 29 gal (110 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.

What temperature and pH does a sapphire damsel need?

A sapphire damsel is comfortable at 75–82°F (24–28°C) with a pH of 8.1–8.4.

What does a sapphire damsel eat?

A sapphire damsel eats flake, pellet and frozen foods, plus some algae-based food.

How big does a sapphire damsel get?

An adult sapphire damsel reaches about 3.3 in (8.5 cm).

How does a sapphire damsel breed?

Sapphire damsels spawn like a typical damsel, with demersal eggs guarded by the male. Commercial captive breeders produce them, and breeding them takes some experience.

Related species